Flashback Friday | #237: The Science Of Population Management | Celeste Solum

In Development as Freedom, Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen calls for a radical rethinking of the way we view poverty and economic development. Pulling from more than five decades of his own research, Sen argues that economic development goes beyond increasing wealth—it’s about expanding freedom.

In this guide, we examine the five types of freedom that Sen argues are integral to development. We explore how empowering women helps communities, how democracy prevents famine, and how capitalist values lead to the greater good.

This guide explains Sen’s reasoning—from what it means to be poor to his idea of justice and the role that markets play in development. Additionally, we examine different perspectives on the substance and practicality of Sen’s “development as freedom” approach.

Americans might be the heaviest, sickest people in the world. The China Study suggests that we can lose weight and lower disease rates by removing animal foods from our diets.

What sets the whole foods, plant-based diet apart from the fads is the extensive research behind it, detailed and distilled in this book. The evidence is compelling and the message clear: Animal foods lead to disease; plant foods prevent and treat it.

Learn how a plant-based diet can give you more energy, reverse your heart disease, decrease your cancer risk, outsmart your genes, and make your life longer and healthier.

The human race has left a mark on our planet, sometimes through carelessness and sometimes by design, but how permanent are the changes we’ve made? In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman asks what would happen if the human race vanished overnight. What effects, positive or negative, would our disappearance have on the world? Weisman’s goal is to address humanity’s environmental impact by imagining a world in which nature is allowed to flourish. In many ways, the world that follows us would be significantly different than what came before.

In this guide, we’ll examine Weisman’s portrayal of humanity’s footprint and what Weisman claims would happen if we suddenly disappeared. Also, we’ll look at other views on climate change, nature’s resilience, and the human race’s impact. We’ll list suggestions for how our species might adapt to a greener world, as well as scenarios that might cause our extinction.

In a soul-stirring episode of "Rotten Mango," hosted by the compassionate Stephanie Soo, a deep dive into the heart-wrenching Itaewon Halloween Tragedy of 2022 is presented, where a celebratory night in South Korea ended with the loss of 159 lives. Soo masterfully crafts a narrative that delves beyond the headlines, providing a vivid recount of the events that transpired, the lives that were affected, and the systemic breakdowns that contributed to the disaster. With each word, she paints a harrowing picture of personal loss, societal issues, and acts of heroism that emerged from the chaos.

The podcast also boldly uncovers the aftermath of the tragedy—the collective grief, public outcry for accountability, and demanding justice for the victims. Through Soo's empathetic storytelling, listeners are invited to engage with the intricate tales of survivors, witness the tenacity of the local community, and confront the stark reality of operational failures and political controversies. "Rotten Mango" offers not only a poignant reflection on the events of that fateful night but also a call for change to ensure better crowd management and a more compassionate societal response in the future.

Delve into the latest episode of NPR News Now, where a team of seasoned journalists tackles legal, socio-political, and economic issues at the forefront of current affairs. Korva Coleman kicks things off with a discussion on the significant legal challenges facing the Sackler family, notorious for their ties to OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma. Then, Nina Totenberg probes into the implications of the family's attempt to sidestep personal bankruptcy, a maneuver riddled with contention as it may shield them from substantial legal claims despite the company's acknowledgment of criminal guilt.

In stark contrast to the courtroom battles, Brian Mann presents a report from the ground in Gaza, recounting the escalating Israeli-Palestinian tensions and the resulting dire humanitarian crisis. Health emergencies worsen as conflict leads to civilian displacement and shortages of basic necessities. As the narrative shifts, Steve Beckner offers insights into the state of the U.S. economy, interpreting recent reports which downplay the risk of recession while acknowledging the battle against inflation. Despite some predictions of a slowdown and slight rises in unemployment, there appears to be cautious optimism for the economic horizon in Beckner's economic analysis. Join this team of NPR News Now correspondents as they provide a well-rounded briefing on the pressing issues of our times.

Dive into the complexities of global and domestic affairs in this riveting episode of NPR News Now, featuring prominent voices such as Korva Coleman and Michele Kellerman. World leaders grapple with the harrowing escalation in Gaza as the U.N. Secretary-General makes an unconventional appeal to the international community for intervention. Hear how the suffocating humanitarian crisis unfolds, with hospitals – the bastions of health and safety – succumbing to the pressures of prolonged conflict, potentially leaving countless Gaza civilians in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, on the home front, NPR News Now navigates the turbulent waters of U.S. politics and policy with contributions from individuals like Chuck Schumer and Marsha Blackburn. Listen as the contentious debate on foreign aid meets the powerful force of immigration reform proposals, revealing deep-rooted disputes and political maneuvering in Congress. Moreover, don't miss the poignant coverage of the personal and legal strife faced by Texans under restrictive abortion laws, brought to life through the experiences of Kate Cox and the advocacy of Molly Duane. This episode is a powerful testament to the interwoven challenges of national security, human rights, and public safety.

Every part of our bodies, from toenails to hair and everything in between, is built based on the instructions coded into our genes. Therefore, understanding what genes are and how they work is crucial to understanding our bodies, our health, and even our identities. Siddhartha Mukherjee wrote The Gene to give the average reader a basic grounding in the history and the science of genetics.

Mukherjee is an immunologist and geneticist known for his work in cancer research, a field closely linked to genetics. The Gene explores scientists’ efforts to learn about people by studying the genes that create us: The book traces the history of genetics from Darwin’s Origin of Species to modern gene sequencing technology, as well as taking a brief look at what genetic engineering might mean for humanity’s future. Our commentary will provide background information and explanations to help readers understand the science behind The Gene. We’ll also examine advancements in genetics since The Gene’s publication in 2016.

How might the gene editing technology called CRISPR transform humanity? In his 2021 book The Code Breaker, journalist, historian, and award-winning biographer Walter Isaacson discusses the advent and future of this groundbreaking scientific tool. He traces its development (focusing on Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna) and explores its significance as a victory for women in science. He also argues that CRISPR has the potential to change life as we know it and explains how, in some ways, it already has.

This guide focuses on four ideas: the biological feature known as CRISPR, Doudna and the other scientists who developed the CRISPR gene editing technology, the moral quandaries CRISPR technology presents, and some of CRISPR’s realized and potential real-world applications. In our commentary, we’ll explain updates on CRISPR science since the book’s publication, explore key scientists’ careers in greater detail, and discuss various philosophical perspectives on CRISPR-related moral issues.

CRISPR gene-editing technology is facilitating groundbreaking treatments for genetic diseases like sickle cell, and it’s promoting global food security through the creation of disease-resistant crops. Continued improvement of CRISPR technology could drive personalized medicine, provide new treatments, and revolutionize agriculture and industrial biotechnology.

In Good Vibes, Good Life, Vex King argues that the key to living your dream life is to have good vibrations or “good vibes.” When you put out good vibes like gratitude and joy, you attract good vibes back; however, when you put out bad vibes like resentment, regret, or impatience, you’ll attract bad vibes and consequently experience more hardships. The key to minimizing bad vibes and maximizing good ones, King argues, is self-love and acceptance.

This guide will discuss King’s Law of Vibration, how you can raise your vibrations, the things that negatively impact your vibes, and how to use your good vibes to achieve your ideal life. Throughout the guide, we’ll also relate King's concepts to recent scientific research and the opinions and recommendations of psychologists, other spiritual guides, and life coaches such as Eckhart Tolle and Rhonda Byrne.

From the low-carb, high-fat keto diet to whole-foods-based paleo diet, there are countless eating programs promising to help you lose weight and be healthier. The Plant Paradox Program (PPP) is an eating and lifestyle program based on the way foods and products affect your body and immune system; it involves eating lots of the right plants, while avoiding others, in order to reach and maintain a healthy weight and live free of chronic and autoimmune diseases. The program is based on the premise that small things can cause big problems and the key to your health is less about what you add to your diet and more about what you remove.

In this summary, learn why whole grains and mouthwash are making you sick and fat, and why almost everything you think you know about healthy food is wrong.

In Estrogeneration, Dr. Anthony G. Jay argues that chemicals called estrogenics are causing a rise in health problems such as obesity, infertility, and cancer in the US. Estrogenics mimic our body’s natural hormone estrogen and disrupt our hormone system. According to Jay, we’re exposed to them every day through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the products we use. But there’s hope: You can minimize their effects on your health by following Jay’s practical tips on how to avoid estrogenics and how to detoxify your body and fortify your health with simple lifestyle changes.

In this guide, we’ll explain what estrogenics are, the common ways we encounter them, and the health risks they pose to humans and the environment. We’ll also provide some practical prevention tips to minimize your exposure. In commentary, we’ll provide scientific evidence that supports or contradicts the author’s arguments, and we’ll present additional tips for avoiding these chemicals.